Help for depression with liver mets?

Question fromNancy:
I have suffered from clinical depression for years and for the last 2 years have been treated for breast cancer metastasized into the liver, so cannot take my effective depression meds. I can take Zoloft but it doesn't help much. All other depression meds go through the liver so I cannot take them. Do you know of any depression meds that are not processed through the liver?

Answers -Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S.
No, all are processed through the liver.

Tish Knobf
There are some alternative strategies to medication for depression, including emotional support and physical activity – well-known to improve depressed moods.

Editor's Note: Zoloft is known to reduce the effectiveness of tamoxifen. If you are taking tamoxifen, talk to your doctor about alternative antidepressants. For more information, please visit the Breastcancer.org Tamoxifen page.

The Ask-the-Expert Online Conference called Managing Fatigue During and After Treatment featured Diana Dyer, M.S., R.D., Tish Knobf, Ph.D., R.N., F.A.A.N., A.O.C.N., and Lillie Shockney, R.N., B.S., M.A.S. answering your questions about ways to keep up your energy, how nutrition can affect fatigue, and how exercising can help.

Editor's Note: This conference took place in January 2008.

The materials presented in these conferences do not necessarily reflect the views of Breastcancer.org. A qualified healthcare professional should be consulted before using any therapeutic product or regimen discussed. All readers should verify all information and data before employing any therapies described here.